Hatches at Night, Open or Closed

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by captlloyd

Very problematic in most tropical areas. Not much breeze in those jail cells.

Been doing this for 18 years now, never a problem. Just today got an inspection from BDF where the features of the new gun were more interesting than it’s serial number. I am sure the comment was about legal guns, not illegal ones

[Simi 60]

Haven't shut the doors onboard in 5 years.

[c.K.]

hi
Hatches closed for me not so much for security but rodents
ever had a rat on board, well I did
It was a short-lived experience also for the rat
Not something I like to see again

[chrisr]

only time we close hatches is if it rains or we are at sea

just would not go to places where you had to lock up like this

cheers,

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by JebLostInSpace

...I was robbed once at anchor on a charter in the Bay of Phuket, but we were ashore having dinner. ...

Burglarized. Big difference IMO.

[thinwater]

Discussion question.


Which risk is greater:
* Burglary. Financial damage only. Also, you are not aboard, so locking things up is practical.

* Robbery. Dangerous. Closing hatches is not practical in most climates.

* Fire, sinking, or other misadventure that would require exit through a barred hatch. A closed hatch could be opened. Bars could be designed to open, but those I have seen are not.



Any place I have sailed, fire is by far the greater risk. I often cringe when I see a dinghy over the bow hatch. I would be uncomfortable sleeping in a compartment without a hatch I could exit.


Burglary I'm not too worried about.



If robbery is a serious concern... I'm not going there, and if stuck there, sleeping with one eye open (or someone on watch).

[picklesandjesse]

20 years ago after sailing up from Panama to Ventura Ca we left our F and C 44 at a marina for July and August and bought a car to go back to BC. People told us that it doesn't rain at that time of the year so we left the hatches and companionway open for that period. Boat was perfect when we returned. Nothing worth stealing on the boat as all the electronics were dumped in Panama. Just a handheld GPS and VHF which we took with us.
For the same reason our house here is unlocked.... lost the keys 5 yrs ago!! It would be nice if someone stole the TV as it stopped working last year. I always leave the car unlocked with keys in the ignition too, a bad habit which my wife is trying to correct.
I wouldn't do the same in all countries though, depends where you are. Some places you need to be on watch at night, we've done that too. Had a lucky escape in Panama.

[s/v Jedi]

If you don’t want to go to areas where robbery is a risk then you can’t go to the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, South America, Eastern Europe nor the Middle East. So that leaves West Europe and North America and even there you’ll many at-risk places you need to avoid.

[seriousailor]

If you plan to cruise in the Caribbean you should sign up for ALERTS! from the Caribbean Safety and Security Net. First hand reports of crimes against yachts and a really cool live map called Zoom Tap on their website. A simple loud intrusion alarm , and perhaps a bar grate for the companionway (monohull) or a broomstick in the slider door for a cat should do the job. You will sleep better , you don't want to meet any boarders, you want them to leave! Here is a link to their website : https://safetyandsecuritynet.org/.

[tankersteve]

Originally Posted by C420sailor

As someone who lived in a country that did not permit ownership of self defense weaponry, keep a few big cans of Wasp/Hornet spray around your boat. In case you happen to come across an intruder who isn’t deterred by your presence, a shot to the face with the above will turn the tide of the fight.

Sorry, but Wasp spray has been debunked numerous times as an effective human repellant. It may be a minor irritant, but likely won't deter someone with the mindset to fight you. Certainly way less effective than pepper spray.

Tankersteve

[Kastaway]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EPvg1KgHU4

[sailorboy1]

What good is that inside your boat

[s/v Jedi]

Here’s my pepper sprayer

[Kastaway]

I don't think wasp spray is a good idea (unless you've got wasps), just pointing out how it can be elevated a point or two on the irritant scale.
Besides, I'm the person that's headed for the door at the first hint of trouble, speed in the opposite direction usually works for me.
Can you picture me sailboy1 - swimming ashore in the middle of the night, burning boat illuminating the anchorage, followed by some big angry bloke with singed eyebrows spurred on by his intent to demonstrate his frustration at me being responsible for his elevated level of irritation......

[Franziska]

A large standart syringe filled with air and about 1cm3 strong potent chilli powder can be very surprising for unwanted visitors at short range....

For longer range, you can also fill other items with that stuff, but I leave that to your imagination.
Ever heard of the holi festival in India?
Just watch where the wind comes from & train with flour.

And, you can cook with the powder too :-)

No need for any illegal stuff onboard.